Regency Diaries of Seduction Collection: A Regency Historical Romance Box Set

by Lucinda Nelson

  “I do believe I spotted you out on the dancefloor. With whom did you dance?”

  “I came upon Sir Simon Drake and he was kind enough to ask me to dance.”

  “Ah! I was right.”

  “Right about what?”

  “I knew that he had taken a fancy to you when I first made the introduction. He clearly fond you to be quite pretty and did not make much effort to conceal it.”

  “Oh, I am not so sure. He barely spoke to me.”

  “That confirms it. Sir Simon has a reputation for becoming lame of tongue when he encounters a lady that he is especially taken with.”

  “Anyway, he seems to be a fine gentleman.”

  “I cannot say for sure. I am only vaguely acquainted with him. We are not often to be found in the same circles. I am sure that will change now, though. He shall be seeking you out, I am sure of it.”

  Evie turned her face away to conceal the reddening of her cheeks. It seemed that both Lady Isabella and Lady Grace believed that Sir Simon had taken a liking to her. She was not sure what to believe, but she did not wish to get her hopes up. Instead, she decided to ply Lady Grace for information on what it had been like up in the balcony.

  They talked well into the night and still seemed to have more to discuss the next morning at breakfast. Following breakfast, the two ladies parted ways. Lady Grace met up with some cousins and returned to their estate, while Evie made her way back to Wellington Manor.

  Her mind still churned with the events of the night before. She had to admit to herself that Sir Drake was still on her mind. She caught herself hoping that Grace and Isabella would be right. It was possible that she was at the beginning of a courtship of promise.

  Chapter 15

  Thaddeus began to spend more time in London, staying at the townhouse. He had never before shown much interest in London, yet more recently he found it more easy to take than the quiet, slowness of the country. He socialized more often and did not find the company of those around to be as intolerable as he had before. He decided that being more active would help to cure his boredom.

  He wondered at what he had been doing for so long without engaging in that many activities outside of the manor. He supposed he had spent his time either engaged in business or with Abigail. She was much more social and there were frequently people to be found at Wellington Manor under her charge. Thaddeus was not enthusiastic about entertaining and was much more interested in being entertained.

  As such, he began to play at cards and billiards. It offered certain political and business associations. Being that Thaddeus only attended the House of Lords to reclaim his title, he did not engage with its members outside of that, unless otherwise necessary for certain acquisitions. Although Thaddeus was well-fixed with major land holdings, he remained greatly interested in business and expansion. Many necessary associations were gathered in the city over cards and other games.

  Thaddeus had never been very much of a gambler, yet he was not impervious to the thrill. The city offered less formal means of socializing, though still with men of rank and means. Many members of the nobility took up rooms in the city not only for political reasons, but to conduct their business. They often left their families behind and engaged in social activities amongst the other men. It was their version of the social season.

  Initially, Thaddeus joined some associates at cards simply to pass away an evening. He found himself enjoying it and began to frequent the gaming rooms. He continued his visitations with ladies, many of which took place following card games. Although he was not especially lucky, he continued to attend many nights in which he stayed in London.

  He also attended balls in assembly rooms. There were those for the younger, courting crowds and other balls for the older ladies and gentlemen. Those balls would be attended by families, as well as widows and widowers.

  On one evening in particular Thaddeus found himself between a ball and the gaming room. He had quite a bit to drink following a particularly unlucky streak. He danced once about the floor before moving to go back to his rooms. He felt unsteady on his feet and very tired. He had no interest in companionship that night.

  As he made to leave the assembly room, he somehow toppled into a young lady making her way in. He was able to steady her before she toppled over, however, there was a tearing noise that indicated her gown had been torn. Thaddeus said, “Please excuse me. I am terribly sorry.”

  “It is quite alright. I am fine.”

  The young lady moved away from him, presumably to right herself in the powder room. Thaddeus continued out of the doors and back to his townhouse. No sooner than he had liberated himself of waistcoat and stocking had he allowed himself to fall down on the bed, sleep coming as soon as he had closed his eyes.

  That night he had dreams that he could not make very much sense of. He knew that Abigail was there, as she often was. But it seemed that she was trying to warn him of something. He could not be sure of what. Yet he could feel the worry radiating from her so that when he rose in the morning it stayed with him. He awakened with the deep fog of the night of drink still upon him. It was with effort that he carried himself from the bed.

  There were matters to be attended to. With his brother’s upcoming nuptials, there would be other financial matters in which to attend. Although his younger brother was a grown man, Thaddeus still oversaw his financials, beyond the income that he received. He would need to designate the necessary funds for the future of Lord Cornelius’ individual family, just as his father had done for him at his time of marriage.

  Thaddeus dressed and took breakfast before heading into the offices to look over accounts and manage the greater demands of the Wellington wealth. It was to him to oversee the vast land holdings, insuring that the farmland was being properly tended for optimal yield. It was all of the things in which his father had prepared him. Business had been the one area in which Thaddeus had never dared to dally. He took it immensely serious, having seen other lords squander fortunes, spending far more than they ever brought in.

  He, however, was determined to do quite the opposite. He spent conscientiously, preferring to invest in greater wealth than squander funds on pomp to impress his fellows. He conducted business far differently from his father, who had been much more shrewd. Thaddeus knew that in the past his father had engaged in business practices which devastated the holdings of others. He did not replicate those dealings, feeling that it wrought far more vitriol than was necessary. Strong business associations and intelligent investment was far better than bleeding the next man dry, in his belief.

  While in London Thaddeus was once again faced with growing pressure for political involvement. In the past he had done what was necessary and little more. He maintained good favor in the House of Lords, made no push for leadership. It had been suggested in the past that he may take greater part in Parliament, however, he had no political ambitions. He knew that politics took over a man’s life, leading him to a lot of handshaking and time spent in session. He would have no part.

  He conducted his business as required and then lent his nights to more social activities. He was not the center of the party, but an affected participant. He ventured to entertain groups with some storytelling and spirited debate. He played chess and draughts. At times he found himself on the edge between higher society life and the more common and dark undercurrent of the city. He stood by watching men boxing, bare-knuckled and savage.

  It was in these circles that he found a different element of woman. There were those who could be far less concerned with proper etiquette and reputation. In the nights, they became a more daring, sensuous woman, looking for the right gentlemen with which to spend their time. Wealthier ladies, who were widowed and childless, opened up their rooms to gentleman with whom they desired only enjoyment.

  Thaddeus reveled in this element, finding in it the release from responsibility and proper societal leanings that had spurned his younger rebellions. Under the influence of wine and dim lightings he
could drift into a separate existence, away from all that had been required of him both before, but especially following, the death of his parents. His position as Duke fell into the background and he was able to be a man of less gentlemanly sensibilities. He found in the dark nights of London the arena for his darker compulsions, the underbelly of the grief which lay just below his heart. Wet, pink lips; soft delicate hands; skin as soft as silk; long fluttering eyelashes; panting, fading breaths; and the primal delight of forbidden submission gave him the necessary outlet for a yearning that bore one name: Evie.

  Chapter 16

  Evie was having the best season of her life. Never had she been so social. In the years prior, she had attended a modest number of parties. She had spent most summers traveling and visiting with relatives. She was enjoying herself intensely visiting the different homes, seeing all of the people at the balls, and experiencing society in a way she had never been able to before.

  Evie found her first impression of Lady Isabella had been very accurate. As she continued to communicate with and spend time with her, she understood why Isabella was not happy in the company of her own family. Lady Isabella was not in the fashion of the typical young woman of nobility. She was kind, open, and of good humor. She did engage in gossip and was well acquainted with many in her rank, but she enjoyed having fun and being liberal with the people she found agreeable.

  Lady Lydia and Lady Isabella had taken to each other immediately. Although Lady Lydia was of minor nobility, Lady Isabella found her delightful. The two were quite amusing together. Lady Isabella spent her entire season traveling away from home, returning begrudgingly for receptions and other soirees. Evie found her pleasant company and was happy to travel with her to the derby and about other such places. Lady Isabella intimated to Evie, “Once this season ends I will become a Marchioness. It will be all I can do to keep the house filled with people. I hope you will be a frequent guest.”

  Evie replied, “Oh yes! I shall glad to visit your home.”

  “I hope my mother is not quite so eager.”

  “Oh, you don't mean that.”

  “I do. The last thing I need is my mother disapproving of how I perform my wifely duties. I'm sure I will have quite enough of that from my husband.”

  “Please do not be so dreary. It may prove to be a wonderful life.”

  “I am not so confident.”

  “Is your Marquess anyone I may have heard of?”

  “He is the Most Honorable Sampson Rutledge.”

  “I do believe I have heard of Lord Sampson.”

  “Yes. He has been allotted an estate about the border. The best part is the distance between my family and I. It will take no less than three days to take such a journey.”

  Evie laughed good-naturedly. She knew that Lady Isabella was not truly mean-spirited. She was not able to sympathize with her predicament. Evie could not deny that she would very much like to be intended for a Marquess. In the stead, she was hoping to be courted by some man of significant rank and decency.

  She had been corresponding with Sir Simon Drake. They had only had one occasion since the first ball to meet. He did not speak a great deal, but men of nobility, even in the gentry, were not often of much conversation with ladies. He had displayed decency and there had been no chatter of him that had caused Evie alarm. She took that as a positive sign.

  Other than him, some other gentlemen had expressed interest, but none in so much to court her. She told herself that there was plenty of time left in the season. She accompanied Lady Grace and her associates about to house parties and other such social gatherings. On one afternoon while Evie and Lady Grace lunched, Thaddeus came out onto the terrace where they sat. He said, “Good afternoon.”

  They both replied, “Good afternoon.”

  “Is this the preamble of some social excursion?”

  Lady Grace replied, “No. There will be none today.”

  “Will you be in for the evening as well?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I was planning for an evening at the theatre. You are both welcome to join me.”

  Lady Grace and Evie looked at each other. Evie made no reply. Lady Grace hesitated thoughtfully before saying, “That would be lovely.” Thaddeus nodded before returning inside. Lady Grace said, “I certainly hope that it will be a pleasant play. I believe the ladies have spoken highly of it.” Evie did not mind either way. She would be more than happy to spend an evening at the theatre. Her sole concern was what she would be adorning.

  She found the necessary gown; of muted color and of appropriate material. Evie greatly enjoyed the theatre, all though she had little occasion to go. In the past, it had been a special treat, reserved for those occasions when her father saw fit to hire a coach and bring them all into the city. She remembered the first time her mother had fussed over she and her sisters ahead of the journey, reminding them of their manners as to make a proper impression. She could no longer remember the play itself, only that she had been in awe of the figures on the stage.

  It was only a few hours later that she gathered with Lady Grace and Thaddeus down on the winding drive to take the coach into town. Per usual they were among the many trafficking in; heading to balls, clubs, dinners, and other such affairs. Their coach rode along to the theatre, the horses moving at a staggered walk.

  Finally, they disembarked outside of the theatre and made their way inside. They ventured up to the box, which Evie had never before been seated. Once she took her seat she looked down at the excellent view of the stage. She sat between Thaddeus and Lady Grace, who had found a few associates seated about them. With the curtains still drawn and people still filling the seats, Evie took the moment to turn to the Duke in gratitude and say, “Thank you very much for bringing me along. This is so very exciting.”

  Thaddeus replied, “You are quite welcome. I hope you find it enjoyable.”

  As they turned to face each other, Evie became aware of how close they were. It would take only the slightest movement on her part to brush against him. She became aware of his manly scent and the prominence of his jawline. She turned her head back to face the audience below, becoming alarmed at her burgeoning feelings. She was able to redirect her thoughts as the lights went down about the theatre and the curtains were drawn.

  Evie enjoyed the play, following it closely. She laughed quietly to herself when appropriate and used her kerchief to wipe away tears at the more tragic parts. At intermission, she kept her seat, not daring to move. She became aware at some point that Thaddeus was staring at her, but willed herself not to return his stare. He adjusted in his seat throughout the performance, at times just brushing against her. She closed her eyes to the sensation and then focused them on the stage, trying desperately to remain connected to the action.

  Once the play had reached its end, it received immense applause and standing ovations about the room. There was one curtain call, after which everyone began to file out. As they walked down and out to the street Thaddeus asked Evie, “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “Very much. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. It was a lovely play. Breath-taking.”

  Evie’s breath hitched in her throat. She got the sense that the Duke was no longer speaking about the play. She hurriedly turned her attentions to where Lady Grace was introducing her to some associates. There were more introductions as Lady Grace came upon more familiar faces. It took some time for their coach to make its way out front. Once it did, they boarded it and headed a few streets over for dinner.

  At dinner Evie barely spoke at all. She concentrated heavily on the food before her and became drawn into animated conversation with Lady Grace. She was avoiding His Grace. She would not even turn to look at him. She feared that her face might betray something. On this night in particular, she found herself more taken with Thaddeus than ever before. She tried to tell herself that it was simply the play. The romance of it had stirred up something in her and as the Duke was the closest man to her she had pr
ojected those feelings onto him.

  Whichever she would not engage. He ventured to speak to her, but she answered politely, yet with as few words as possible. He seemed to be drawing her out, but she would not allow it. She just needed to get through dinner and the ride back to Wellington Manor. Then she would be able to depart from him and regain her senses. At least she hoped.

  She thought briefly of earlier that day when she had placed her hand over Thaddeus’s in comfort. In that moment, she had been reaching out as a friend, as close of a friend as she could be in her position. Yet, she could not deny that she had enjoyed the sensation of touching him, his strong, manly hand in contrast to her own small, dainty one. It was thoughts like that in which she dismissed, not wanting to lose sight of her duties.

  Not only that, those feelings took her back to Lord Charles. She had felt similar connections with him. He was the first man to cultivate such sensations in her and she was sure that it must have been love. The way he looked back at her, found excuse to touch her, and spoke so softly to her had her convinced that he was equally as overcome. It was why she had allowed him to kiss her, just barely brushing her lips with his. It had been very thrilling and she looked forward to being able to kiss him in the future.